Between lakes and nomadic traditions in Kyrgyzstan

In the morning, you will discover the beauty of the surroundings on horseback, starting from your host's house where you will spend the night.

For those who prefer to stay on foot, this experience can be replaced by an accessible hike around the village.

Next, you'll head to Konorchek Canyon, a protected site where scarlet rock formations evoke the American Grand Canyon. The red sand columns that rise all around create an intimate and spectacular atmosphere.

In case of heavy rainfall, the visit to the Konorchek canyon can be replaced by a visit to the Ruh-Ordo cultural center.

You reach the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul (1,609 m altitude), the second largest alpine lake in the world. A veritable inland sea, it is often called the pearl of Kyrgyzstan.

Surrounded by the Celestial Mountains, the snow-capped peaks exceeding 5,000 m are reflected in its clear waters. From the surrounding mountains, numerous rivers flow down to the lake, traversing valleys with a distinctive character.

North of Kyrchyn, you take a mountain track that climbs the Chong Ak-Suu valley for about 40 minutes. You then stay with a local family for an immersive experience of local life.

You descend back into the Semenovka valley and walk along the stream before rejoining the main road. You then head towards the Orto-Oruktu hot springs, renowned for their mineral waters with beneficial properties.

On the way, a stop is planned at a fish farm, where you will have the opportunity to fish for your lunch.

You arrive in Karakol, a peaceful town located near Lake Issyk-Kul. You take the time to visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a 19th-century Orthodox church, as well as the Chinese Mosque, a building in a style reminiscent of Mongolian Buddhist temples, built by Dungan artisans.

Along the way, you stop at the Przewalsky Museum, which retraces the history of the discovery of the wild horse in the Gobi Desert.

You continue your tour of the lake by taking the circular road leading to the south shore. Wilder than the north shore, this region offers the opportunity to discover new and remarkable natural sites.

You arrive in the Jeti-Oguz Valley. Covered in dense vegetation, this gorge stretches for 37 km between Lake Issyk-Kul and the Celestial Mountains. Its impressive red rock ridges, nicknamed "the Seven Bulls," form an iconic landscape, already featured on Soviet postage stamps in 1968.

You then enjoy a hike in the heart of the valley.

You are visiting Skaska Canyon, whose name means "fairy tale" in Kyrgyz. Its multicolored rock formations overlook Lake Issyk-Kul. Formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, these natural sculptures in their varied shapes evoke landscapes worthy of a fairy tale.

Arrival at the village of Kyzyl-Tuu, renowned for the traditional construction of Kyrgyz yurts. A family from the village will do us the honor of showing us how a yurt is built, and if you wish, you can help them with this activity.

You join the main road towards the village of Kochkor, known for its local development initiatives. There you visit the women's cooperative, where felt rugs (sherdaks) are made using a know-how passed down from generation to generation.

After lunch, you leave Kochkor to reach Eki-Naryn, a place where two branches of the Naryn River — the main tributary of the Syr Darya — meet.

You then cross the Dolon Pass, located at an altitude of over 3,030 meters. This pass connects the Issyk-Kul region to the Naryn Basin and offers sweeping panoramas of the Tian Shan Mountains. The road alternates between steep ascents and descents, allowing you to observe the valley and the surrounding mountain ranges, with their snow-capped glaciers.

After settling into the yurt camp, you can enjoy a short walk around the camp.

The name of the Eki-Naryn valley means "the two Naryns". It is here, 44 km from the town of Naryn, that the large and small tributaries of the Naryn River meet.

Located at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, the valley is home to a national park with vast pine forests. Wildlife abounds, including bears, wild boars, ibex, and snow leopards. A nearby village also bears the name Eki-Naryn.

After breakfast, accompanied by your local guide, you'll head up into the hills to enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and valley. Along the way, you'll pass shepherds setting up their summer camps.

In the evening, we arrived in the town of Naryn, a charming village nestled in the mountains and bisected by the Naryn River. Here, we found some comfort before continuing our Kyrgyz adventure.

Rest and free time with your guide who will accompany you for a short walk around town.

You return to your vehicle and take the main road towards Lake Son-Kul. You cross the Moldo Ashuu pass (3,346 m) and traverse open landscapes before settling down with a family of shepherds.

You reach the shores of Lake Son-Kul, often considered the second wonder of Kyrgyzstan. This immense alpine lake is the country's largest freshwater reserve. Located in the heart of the Celestial Mountains, it sits at an altitude of 3,016 meters and has long captured the imagination of travelers.

Its crystal-clear water, of great purity, changes color throughout the day, shifting from blue to green and sometimes taking on orange hues.

Today, you will ride along the shores of the lake on horseback, to enjoy the scenery and the tranquility of the pastures.

You then have lunch with your hosts, and then have free time in the afternoon to stroll along the water's edge or simply share everyday moments with the Kyrgyz herders.

Last day of travel before returning to the Kyrgyz capital. You leave the green mountains where you met a people attached to their traditions, then arrive in Bishkek.

Check-in at your hotel, where you can take some time to rest.

You're off to visit the capital, starting with the Osh Bazaar, considered one of the most vibrant markets in Kyrgyzstan. As you wander through the aisles, stalls selling dried fruits and spices will add color to your experience and evoke the atmosphere of Central Asia. You'll also find plenty of traditional souvenirs there.

You then stroll through Ala-Too Square, in the heart of Bishkek. A favorite meeting place for Kyrgyz youth, it comes alive every evening with passersby. The square has also been the setting for several significant events in the country's political history.

Breakfast at the hotel. You will then be transferred to Bishkek International Airport. The return transfer will be scheduled to coincide with your flight.